Statapults (catapults for statistics)

Set of catapults for teaching six sigma class. I retired from my job early this year and now do consulting. My previous company owned a set of these that I used when I taught six sigma classes for them. Now need a set of my own and didn’t want to spend the $250.00 apiece that they sell for. Had some red oak, less than $50 for all the hardware, scales and protractors. Finished with a coat of amber varnish and a coat of wax.

And a good excuse to get into my new much smaller shop (downsized last year in anticipation for retiring).

Mike, retiring for me meant downsizing to a smaller home without space for a shop. Did put in a 12×28 building, 10’ of which is storage, only leaving 12’x 18’ for a shop.

Bill, I teach six sigma. As part of the training students will select the factors (adjustments) they think most affect the distance (critical factors) that the catapult fires, test fire the statapults a limited number of times and document the distances. Entering what they learn in a statistical software package they develop a predictive model. Once their model is complete I randomly select 3 distances between 20” and 120” and they enter the distance in the software which tells them where to set each adjustment and they fire a ball at a target set at each distance. Typically have 2 teams compete, thus the two statapults. Having both fixed (stop holes, number of rubber bands, ball type) and infinitely variable adjustments (pull back angle and front post tensioner) gives the students plenty to think about. When the students develop a solid predictive model they are amazingly accurate over the entire distance.